What do you think?
Rate this book
Blackthorn & Grim #2
Tower of Thorns
The Blackthorn & Grim series continues as a mysterious creature holds an enchanted and imperiled ancient Ireland in thrall.
Disillusioned healer Blackthorn and her companion, Grim, have settled in Dalriada to wait out the seven years of Blackthorn’s bond to her fey mentor, hoping to avoid any dire challenges. But trouble has a way of seeking out Blackthorn and Grim.
Lady Geiléis, a noblewoman from the northern border, has asked for the prince of Dalriada’s help in expelling a howling creature from an old tower on her land—one surrounded by an impenetrable hedge of thorns. Casting a blight over the entire district, and impossible to drive out by ordinary means, it threatens both the safety and the sanity of all who live nearby. With no ready solutions to offer, the prince consults Blackthorn and Grim.
As Blackthorn and Grim begin to put the pieces of this puzzle together, it’s apparent that a powerful adversary is working behind the scenes. Their quest is about to become a life and death struggle—a conflict in which even the closest of friends can find themselves on opposite sides.
Disillusioned healer Blackthorn and her companion, Grim, have settled in Dalriada to wait out the seven years of Blackthorn’s bond to her fey mentor, hoping to avoid any dire challenges. But trouble has a way of seeking out Blackthorn and Grim.
Lady Geiléis, a noblewoman from the northern border, has asked for the prince of Dalriada’s help in expelling a howling creature from an old tower on her land—one surrounded by an impenetrable hedge of thorns. Casting a blight over the entire district, and impossible to drive out by ordinary means, it threatens both the safety and the sanity of all who live nearby. With no ready solutions to offer, the prince consults Blackthorn and Grim.
As Blackthorn and Grim begin to put the pieces of this puzzle together, it’s apparent that a powerful adversary is working behind the scenes. Their quest is about to become a life and death struggle—a conflict in which even the closest of friends can find themselves on opposite sides.
415 pages, Hardcover
First published September 29, 2015
381 people are currently reading
6526 people want to read
About the author
Juliet Marillier
76 books12.1k followersJuliet Marillier was born in Dunedin, New Zealand and grew up surrounded by Celtic music and stories. Her own Celtic-Gaelic roots inspired her to write her first series, the Sevenwaters Trilogy. Juliet was educated at the University of Otago, where she majored in music and languages, graduating BA and Bachelor of Music (Hons). Her lifelong interest in history, folklore and mythology has had a major influence on her writing.
Juliet is the author of twenty-one historical fantasy novels for adults and young adults, as well as a book of short fiction. Juliet's novels and short stories have won many awards.
Juliet lives in a 110 year old cottage in a riverside suburb of Perth, Western Australia. When not writing, she tends to her small pack of rescue dogs. She also has four adult children and eight grandchildren. Juliet is a member of the druid order OBOD (the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids.)
Juliet is the author of twenty-one historical fantasy novels for adults and young adults, as well as a book of short fiction. Juliet's novels and short stories have won many awards.
Juliet lives in a 110 year old cottage in a riverside suburb of Perth, Western Australia. When not writing, she tends to her small pack of rescue dogs. She also has four adult children and eight grandchildren. Juliet is a member of the druid order OBOD (the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids.)
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 983 reviews
March 21, 2018
Reviewed by: Rabid Reads
Last year in DREAMER'S POOL we met Blackthorn and Grim, who quickly became two of my new favorite characters.
They are bothwonderfully horribly broken, but that mutual brokenness is what made them so compatible.
As friends, as cohorts, as travel companions . . .
Blackthorn, fueled by her implacable hatred of the man who took everything from her, quickly stole the spotlight--not only is she a healer, a position regarded with respect, she is the more forthright of the two. She may be surly and taciturn, but if something needs to be said, Blackthorn is the one to say it.
Grim was the strong back for lifting heavy objects. He took odd jobs, performing manual labor for various townspeople, and when he spoke, he used as few words as possible.
Obviously, there was more to him than that, but he was inarguably the Robin to Blackthorn's Batman.
And he's perfectly happy there. Or as happy as a man like him is capable of being happy.
This time around, Grim, still silent, still steady, burrowed so deeply into my heart that he's still there, months after I first read this book.
I can't think of him without a corresponding ache.
Marillier so brilliantly captured his patience, his selflessness, his calm acceptance of his perceived lack of any real usefulness, and his belief that one day--it's only a matter of time--Blackthorn will get tired of him, and send him on his way, worthless sod that he is.
It hurts. Ye gods, it hurts.
But it hurts the way it hurts to look at Chihuly glass in the sunlight or heathered fields in Virginia. It hurts b/c it's so damn beautiful.
In TOWER OF THORNS, Blackthorn and Grim are once more thrust into the strangeness that goes hand-in-hand with fey creatures and magic.
A woman has come to court begging Prince Oran for assistance. Her land and her people are plagued by a creature in a tower. It howls in agony from sunup to sundown every single day. The tower is surrounded by a hedge of impenetrable thorns, and all attempts to get through them result in injury and death.
Marillier spins her story so deftly that you wonder if you've heard it before. But no, it's not possible---you have no idea what's going to happen, and yet . . . it feels so familiar.
B/c it is the quintessential fairytale. There are secrets and selfishness, harsh truths and consequences. But there is also peace and forgiveness and a path out of the shadows onto a sunlit road.
You only have to step out of the darkness.
TOWER OF THORNS by Juliet Mariller is bloody fantastic. As much as I loved DREAMER'S POOL--and I did love it--this second installment of BLACKTHORN AND GRIM has taken up residence inside me, it's now part of me, and I will make a nuisance of myself, pushing it on everyone b/c you NEED to experience it for yourself.
Tied with Uprooted by Naomi Novik for my favorite book of 2015.
Pre-Review:
You know . . . this has been a ridiculously good book year. Even with the myriad disappointments, the good ones have been so bloody good that the others just sort of . . . fade away.
I honestly can't tell you whether I like this one or Uprooted best.
Same kind of dark fairy tale. Same kind of anachronistic main character pairing. Same overwhelming beauty, but two completely different tales. GAH.
Just trust me and make sure you read Dreamer's Pool before this one is released in November.
Full review closer to release date.
My other reviews for this series:
Dreamer's Pool (Blackthorn & Grim, #1) by Juliet Marillier
Den of Wolves (Blackthorn & Grim, #3) by Juliet Marillier
Last year in DREAMER'S POOL we met Blackthorn and Grim, who quickly became two of my new favorite characters.
They are both
As friends, as cohorts, as travel companions . . .
Blackthorn, fueled by her implacable hatred of the man who took everything from her, quickly stole the spotlight--not only is she a healer, a position regarded with respect, she is the more forthright of the two. She may be surly and taciturn, but if something needs to be said, Blackthorn is the one to say it.
Grim was the strong back for lifting heavy objects. He took odd jobs, performing manual labor for various townspeople, and when he spoke, he used as few words as possible.
Obviously, there was more to him than that, but he was inarguably the Robin to Blackthorn's Batman.
And he's perfectly happy there. Or as happy as a man like him is capable of being happy.
This time around, Grim, still silent, still steady, burrowed so deeply into my heart that he's still there, months after I first read this book.
I can't think of him without a corresponding ache.
Marillier so brilliantly captured his patience, his selflessness, his calm acceptance of his perceived lack of any real usefulness, and his belief that one day--it's only a matter of time--Blackthorn will get tired of him, and send him on his way, worthless sod that he is.
It hurts. Ye gods, it hurts.
But it hurts the way it hurts to look at Chihuly glass in the sunlight or heathered fields in Virginia. It hurts b/c it's so damn beautiful.
In TOWER OF THORNS, Blackthorn and Grim are once more thrust into the strangeness that goes hand-in-hand with fey creatures and magic.
A woman has come to court begging Prince Oran for assistance. Her land and her people are plagued by a creature in a tower. It howls in agony from sunup to sundown every single day. The tower is surrounded by a hedge of impenetrable thorns, and all attempts to get through them result in injury and death.
Marillier spins her story so deftly that you wonder if you've heard it before. But no, it's not possible---you have no idea what's going to happen, and yet . . . it feels so familiar.
B/c it is the quintessential fairytale. There are secrets and selfishness, harsh truths and consequences. But there is also peace and forgiveness and a path out of the shadows onto a sunlit road.
You only have to step out of the darkness.
TOWER OF THORNS by Juliet Mariller is bloody fantastic. As much as I loved DREAMER'S POOL--and I did love it--this second installment of BLACKTHORN AND GRIM has taken up residence inside me, it's now part of me, and I will make a nuisance of myself, pushing it on everyone b/c you NEED to experience it for yourself.
Tied with Uprooted by Naomi Novik for my favorite book of 2015.
Pre-Review:
You know . . . this has been a ridiculously good book year. Even with the myriad disappointments, the good ones have been so bloody good that the others just sort of . . . fade away.
I honestly can't tell you whether I like this one or Uprooted best.
Same kind of dark fairy tale. Same kind of anachronistic main character pairing. Same overwhelming beauty, but two completely different tales. GAH.
Just trust me and make sure you read Dreamer's Pool before this one is released in November.
Full review closer to release date.
My other reviews for this series:
Dreamer's Pool (Blackthorn & Grim, #1) by Juliet Marillier
Den of Wolves (Blackthorn & Grim, #3) by Juliet Marillier
November 5, 2015
5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum http://bibliosanctum.com/2015/10/26/b...
I read a whopping number of books last year. Like, the final tally was probably somewhere close to 200. And out of the dozens upon dozens of books, do you know which one stood out to me the most? Juliet Marillier’s Dreamer’s Pool. It should come as no surprise then, that its sequel Tower of Thorns is hands down my most anticipated novel this fall. Heck, most anticipated novel this year. We’re talking, if there’s one book I need to read in 2015, THIS. IS. IT.
So, please understand now when I say I need a moment to pull myself together. I’m still trying desperately to come up with the words to describe how I felt about this novel, without coming off as a gushing, fangirly lunatic. After all, it’s not every day that I get to read a book that I’ve been dying for, only to have that book exceed all my expectations.
What can I say? Tower of Thorns, you were utter perfection. Juliet Marillier, you are truly amazing.
Yeah, that whole trying-not-to-be-a-gushy-fangirl thing. Not really working out, is it?
Let me start again, all proper-like this time. Tower of Thorns is the direct sequel to Dreamer’s Pool. Theoretically, you can start with this book, though in my opinion you’d be doing yourself a great disservice if you don’t start from the beginning. Blackthorn and Grim have a very special connection, and being familiar with the story of how these two characters first met and came to be partners in Dreamer’s Pool made Tower of Thorns all the more powerful and touching.
Almost a year has passed since Blackthorn made her deal with the fey, buying her freedom and a new beginning by promising two things: 1) that she will travel to and settle in Dalriada as a wise woman healer, never turning away any request for help, and 2) for seven years she will stay there, putting aside her desire for revenge against Mathuin, the cruel Lord of Laois who destroyed her life and took everything away from her. Hatred for Mathuin and the need to see him brought to justice has made keeping her end of the bargain difficult, but Blackthorn is aided by Grim, her steadfast and taciturn companion who has stayed by her side since their escape from Mathuin’s dungeons.
However, peace is disrupted once again with the arrival of Lady Geiléis, a noblewoman who comes to beg Blackthorn for help with a monster of a problem—literally. A howling creature has taken up residence in an old tower on Lady Geiléis’ land, its mournful calls driving the surrounding populace to depression and madness. The tower is inaccessible due to a hedge of thorns surrounding its base, and it soon becomes clear that any means to vanquish the monster would have to be magical.
Have you ever wanted to peel back the layers of a fairy tale? Dive deeper into its secrets and investigate its puzzles? If fairy tales were turned into mystery novels, I think they would look very much like these books. And I couldn’t ask for a better detective team on the case than Blackthorn and Grim.
As characters, they are broken and flawed, but I’m more than a bit fond of them. Tower of Thorns is a defining book for both our protagonists, exploring the pain in their pasts. Blackthorn gave up a huge part of herself when she struck her bargain with the Fae, a part that she still cannot completely let go of, even if it will mean paying a steeper, more severe price down the road. Grim too is haunted by his own demons, his memories of blood and loss brought to the surface by the miserable cries of the monster in the tower.
I can’t deny Grim really stole the show in this one. As much as I admired Blackthorn’s intelligence and her strength in the face of overwhelming odds, my heart broke for Grim and the darkness he’s kept locked up inside himself for so long. A big, quiet man often dismissed as an oaf and a simpleton, Grim’s character actually holds the sort of depth rarely seen in fantasy fiction. His sincerity and unwavering loyalty to Blackthorn is what makes their relationship so remarkable and unique, reducing me to tears in the concluding chapters of this novel.
All this takes place in a world infused with as much darkness as whimsy, reminiscent of most fairy tale settings. And like many fairy tales, the themes of love and sacrifice are strong in Tower of Thorns. The courage of unlikely heroes is pitted against the malice and underhandedness of tricksters, both the mortal and immortal kind. Even the closest of friends will find themselves torn at a crossroads, faced with decisions that can change their entire lives. There’s no doubt about it, the gut-wrenching emotions that this book brought out in me made reading this sequel even more rewarding that the first book.
If you’re looking for a fantasy novel filled with irresistible characters and the kind of rich, evocative magic that will take your breath away, look no further than this brilliant series by Juliet Marillier. Tower of Thorns made me fall in love with Blackthorn and Grim all over again. Powerful and emotionally-charged, this tale will hold you absolutely spellbound. I highly recommend it.
I read a whopping number of books last year. Like, the final tally was probably somewhere close to 200. And out of the dozens upon dozens of books, do you know which one stood out to me the most? Juliet Marillier’s Dreamer’s Pool. It should come as no surprise then, that its sequel Tower of Thorns is hands down my most anticipated novel this fall. Heck, most anticipated novel this year. We’re talking, if there’s one book I need to read in 2015, THIS. IS. IT.
So, please understand now when I say I need a moment to pull myself together. I’m still trying desperately to come up with the words to describe how I felt about this novel, without coming off as a gushing, fangirly lunatic. After all, it’s not every day that I get to read a book that I’ve been dying for, only to have that book exceed all my expectations.
What can I say? Tower of Thorns, you were utter perfection. Juliet Marillier, you are truly amazing.
Yeah, that whole trying-not-to-be-a-gushy-fangirl thing. Not really working out, is it?
Let me start again, all proper-like this time. Tower of Thorns is the direct sequel to Dreamer’s Pool. Theoretically, you can start with this book, though in my opinion you’d be doing yourself a great disservice if you don’t start from the beginning. Blackthorn and Grim have a very special connection, and being familiar with the story of how these two characters first met and came to be partners in Dreamer’s Pool made Tower of Thorns all the more powerful and touching.
Almost a year has passed since Blackthorn made her deal with the fey, buying her freedom and a new beginning by promising two things: 1) that she will travel to and settle in Dalriada as a wise woman healer, never turning away any request for help, and 2) for seven years she will stay there, putting aside her desire for revenge against Mathuin, the cruel Lord of Laois who destroyed her life and took everything away from her. Hatred for Mathuin and the need to see him brought to justice has made keeping her end of the bargain difficult, but Blackthorn is aided by Grim, her steadfast and taciturn companion who has stayed by her side since their escape from Mathuin’s dungeons.
However, peace is disrupted once again with the arrival of Lady Geiléis, a noblewoman who comes to beg Blackthorn for help with a monster of a problem—literally. A howling creature has taken up residence in an old tower on Lady Geiléis’ land, its mournful calls driving the surrounding populace to depression and madness. The tower is inaccessible due to a hedge of thorns surrounding its base, and it soon becomes clear that any means to vanquish the monster would have to be magical.
Have you ever wanted to peel back the layers of a fairy tale? Dive deeper into its secrets and investigate its puzzles? If fairy tales were turned into mystery novels, I think they would look very much like these books. And I couldn’t ask for a better detective team on the case than Blackthorn and Grim.
As characters, they are broken and flawed, but I’m more than a bit fond of them. Tower of Thorns is a defining book for both our protagonists, exploring the pain in their pasts. Blackthorn gave up a huge part of herself when she struck her bargain with the Fae, a part that she still cannot completely let go of, even if it will mean paying a steeper, more severe price down the road. Grim too is haunted by his own demons, his memories of blood and loss brought to the surface by the miserable cries of the monster in the tower.
I can’t deny Grim really stole the show in this one. As much as I admired Blackthorn’s intelligence and her strength in the face of overwhelming odds, my heart broke for Grim and the darkness he’s kept locked up inside himself for so long. A big, quiet man often dismissed as an oaf and a simpleton, Grim’s character actually holds the sort of depth rarely seen in fantasy fiction. His sincerity and unwavering loyalty to Blackthorn is what makes their relationship so remarkable and unique, reducing me to tears in the concluding chapters of this novel.
All this takes place in a world infused with as much darkness as whimsy, reminiscent of most fairy tale settings. And like many fairy tales, the themes of love and sacrifice are strong in Tower of Thorns. The courage of unlikely heroes is pitted against the malice and underhandedness of tricksters, both the mortal and immortal kind. Even the closest of friends will find themselves torn at a crossroads, faced with decisions that can change their entire lives. There’s no doubt about it, the gut-wrenching emotions that this book brought out in me made reading this sequel even more rewarding that the first book.
If you’re looking for a fantasy novel filled with irresistible characters and the kind of rich, evocative magic that will take your breath away, look no further than this brilliant series by Juliet Marillier. Tower of Thorns made me fall in love with Blackthorn and Grim all over again. Powerful and emotionally-charged, this tale will hold you absolutely spellbound. I highly recommend it.
July 1, 2016
I WANT TO HAVE GRIM'S BABIES
I kind of want Blackthorn to die because she doesn't deserve Grim.
This wasn't as good as the first one. Grim was even better this time round, but his perspective was the only one I really wanted to read.
The writing was beautiful but the story dragged A LOT.
So talk. Very secret. Such betrayal. Wow.
I look forward to reading the next one, because, Grim.
3 marry-me-grim Stars
Thanks for the buddy read, you MacHalo Grim lovers!
I kind of want Blackthorn to die because she doesn't deserve Grim.
This wasn't as good as the first one. Grim was even better this time round, but his perspective was the only one I really wanted to read.
The writing was beautiful but the story dragged A LOT.
So talk. Very secret. Such betrayal. Wow.
I look forward to reading the next one, because, Grim.
3 marry-me-grim Stars
Thanks for the buddy read, you MacHalo Grim lovers!
March 7, 2016
*** 4.65 ***
Another buddy read with the lovely MacHalo Freaks!!!
I LOVED it!!! I don't even know what more should I say... This is the second book in the Blackthorn and Grim series and if you can believe it, it is even better than the first. We got to know a lot of Blackthorn's life before her imprisonment in the previous volume, now we get to find out a bit more about my beloved Grim!!! Grim is so wonderful to me, that I expected him to walk off the pages of the book in reality and in this case, I would have smothered him with hugs, would have fed him and would have kept him with me forever!!! Since he can not read, I would have read all the books I read anyway out loud and we would have had a Happily Ever After of our own..., But I am digressing...
Back to the book. So, we have the two of them living in their newly renovated cottage (remember, it was burned at the end of the last book) in their platonic friendship bliss, B helping the community at large with their health and the prince and new princess in particular with her pregnancy and impending birth. Grim helps wherever a strong hand and back are needed, but as always, his full devotion belongs to the safety and protection of B. However, a new character, a noble woman from a court some ways away has come and asks for help from Blackthorn, specifically, to get rid of a magical beast who inhabits a tower surrounded by magical thorn bushes. This accursed beast's screams and wails of sorrow have been disturbing the folks living in its vicinity and slowly drives them mad, depressing everything living around and slowly killing the lands of the Lady Geiléis... So, Prince Oran gives Blackthorn leave to choose if she would like to go or not. At first she is very reluctant and looks for reasons not to go. However, a reason to accept shows up in the form of an old friend from the time she was happy with her husband and child. B is happy to see him, but he pressures her into taking the challenge of destroying the monster as a cover in order to go back to her homeland and retake a stand against the tyrant who had murdered her family and imprisoned and humiliated her for a year... Noticing her reluctance, the friend calls her a coward and tells her that her dead husband would be disappointed in her.. B agrees and accepts to leave with the Lady Geiléis.
Poor Grim. He has demons which still haunt him and the only person he feels safe around is Blackthorn. He has just found a place to call home and a person to share it with and now she was leaving and he just knew trouble was coming! So, as selfless and devoted to her as he is, he chose to go with her and have her back, no matter the danger, not knowing what will happen. He only knows that he needs to protect her and know she is well. (as i already said, hug him to death:):):)! )
Once they get to Lady Geiléis' lands it becomes clear that she is keeping secrets and nothing is as it seems. Blackthorn gets a bit lost in self pity for a while, but the headrest hurdles are the ones which bring the demons to life in Grim's existence. He is confronted with flashbacks of traumatic experiences and almost drowns in guilt and inability to cope. Blackthorn is not much help, so he is lucky to find some new friends who hopefully would lighten the load on his consciousness. .. Now, no more about the book, or I will spoil it for you guys, and I would hate to do that!
The writing is beautiful!!! It is as if we find ourselves in the middle of a Grim fairy-tale and all of our senses are awakened. The pacing is perfect, and the characters, well, they are flawless!!!
I will highly recommend this series - reading in order is preferable, to everyone!!! As long as you like the magic of traditional fairy tales you will love this one! I surely did:-)
Now, back to some books. Happy reading to you all!!!
Another buddy read with the lovely MacHalo Freaks!!!
I LOVED it!!! I don't even know what more should I say... This is the second book in the Blackthorn and Grim series and if you can believe it, it is even better than the first. We got to know a lot of Blackthorn's life before her imprisonment in the previous volume, now we get to find out a bit more about my beloved Grim!!! Grim is so wonderful to me, that I expected him to walk off the pages of the book in reality and in this case, I would have smothered him with hugs, would have fed him and would have kept him with me forever!!! Since he can not read, I would have read all the books I read anyway out loud and we would have had a Happily Ever After of our own..., But I am digressing...
Back to the book. So, we have the two of them living in their newly renovated cottage (remember, it was burned at the end of the last book) in their platonic friendship bliss, B helping the community at large with their health and the prince and new princess in particular with her pregnancy and impending birth. Grim helps wherever a strong hand and back are needed, but as always, his full devotion belongs to the safety and protection of B. However, a new character, a noble woman from a court some ways away has come and asks for help from Blackthorn, specifically, to get rid of a magical beast who inhabits a tower surrounded by magical thorn bushes. This accursed beast's screams and wails of sorrow have been disturbing the folks living in its vicinity and slowly drives them mad, depressing everything living around and slowly killing the lands of the Lady Geiléis... So, Prince Oran gives Blackthorn leave to choose if she would like to go or not. At first she is very reluctant and looks for reasons not to go. However, a reason to accept shows up in the form of an old friend from the time she was happy with her husband and child. B is happy to see him, but he pressures her into taking the challenge of destroying the monster as a cover in order to go back to her homeland and retake a stand against the tyrant who had murdered her family and imprisoned and humiliated her for a year... Noticing her reluctance, the friend calls her a coward and tells her that her dead husband would be disappointed in her.. B agrees and accepts to leave with the Lady Geiléis.
Poor Grim. He has demons which still haunt him and the only person he feels safe around is Blackthorn. He has just found a place to call home and a person to share it with and now she was leaving and he just knew trouble was coming! So, as selfless and devoted to her as he is, he chose to go with her and have her back, no matter the danger, not knowing what will happen. He only knows that he needs to protect her and know she is well. (as i already said, hug him to death:):):)! )
Once they get to Lady Geiléis' lands it becomes clear that she is keeping secrets and nothing is as it seems. Blackthorn gets a bit lost in self pity for a while, but the headrest hurdles are the ones which bring the demons to life in Grim's existence. He is confronted with flashbacks of traumatic experiences and almost drowns in guilt and inability to cope. Blackthorn is not much help, so he is lucky to find some new friends who hopefully would lighten the load on his consciousness. .. Now, no more about the book, or I will spoil it for you guys, and I would hate to do that!
The writing is beautiful!!! It is as if we find ourselves in the middle of a Grim fairy-tale and all of our senses are awakened. The pacing is perfect, and the characters, well, they are flawless!!!
I will highly recommend this series - reading in order is preferable, to everyone!!! As long as you like the magic of traditional fairy tales you will love this one! I surely did:-)
Now, back to some books. Happy reading to you all!!!
October 15, 2025
Reread 2025 - 5 stars
Still an amazing story on reread. This time around I listened to the audiobook and it really was fantastic. The Blackthorn and Grim books really are Juliet Marillier at the top of her form.
Read 2016 - 5 stars
Tower of Thorns is a wonderful sequel to Dreamer's Pool, the book that first introduced the characters of Blackthorn and Grim.
Juliet Marillier has an amazing storyteller's voice, and her prose shines with the practiced ease of decades of experience. Blackthorn is as prickly and defiant as ever in this book, but her admiration and trust in her companion Grim is as strong as ever. Grim remains loyal, steadfast, and without guile, determined to help Blackthorn and keep her safe, no matter the cost to himself.
The highlight of these books for me remains the relationship between Blackthorn and Grim. This isn't a romance, but something very profound, partially shaped by past experiences, but also continually being changed as they go forward together and try to heal from old wounds.
In this book Grim was able to move forward a bit from his past, but Blackthorn is still having a lot of difficulty with that. Hopefully there will be some opportunity for Blackthorn to deal with some of her ongoing issues in the upcoming book, Den of Wolves. It is definitely going to be interesting to see where Marillier takes things from here.
Still an amazing story on reread. This time around I listened to the audiobook and it really was fantastic. The Blackthorn and Grim books really are Juliet Marillier at the top of her form.
Read 2016 - 5 stars
Tower of Thorns is a wonderful sequel to Dreamer's Pool, the book that first introduced the characters of Blackthorn and Grim.
Juliet Marillier has an amazing storyteller's voice, and her prose shines with the practiced ease of decades of experience. Blackthorn is as prickly and defiant as ever in this book, but her admiration and trust in her companion Grim is as strong as ever. Grim remains loyal, steadfast, and without guile, determined to help Blackthorn and keep her safe, no matter the cost to himself.
The highlight of these books for me remains the relationship between Blackthorn and Grim. This isn't a romance, but something very profound, partially shaped by past experiences, but also continually being changed as they go forward together and try to heal from old wounds.
In this book Grim was able to move forward a bit from his past, but Blackthorn is still having a lot of difficulty with that. Hopefully there will be some opportunity for Blackthorn to deal with some of her ongoing issues in the upcoming book, Den of Wolves. It is definitely going to be interesting to see where Marillier takes things from here.
September 29, 2017
Under a big deadline so not much time for long reviews, but I really enjoyed this second book. It had some "beauty and beastly" elements woven in very creatively. Grim remains my favorite character of this series; however, he and Blackthorn are killing me with their slow-burn romantic revelations.
April 23, 2018
“Strike hard. Strike true. Free us.”
Blackthorn, a wise woman miraculously rescued from unjust prison by a fey named Conmael is bound to repay this small courtesy spending seven years of her life in service of people: she must agree to every request for help and to stay within the borders of Dalriada. The problem is that not only the most reasonable request can be burdensome if we have no say in the matter, but also Blackthorn happens to be a cantankerous and not really sociable person. The only two living creatures she is able to withstand are her silent companion-friend, Grim, and her Dog (who is not a dog, really). She still wishes, the Dog would be bigger and an ugly one to keep people away.
It is then quite natural that a request to help comes involving a mysterious curse that features a monster in a tower shielded by thorns that must be dealt with by Midsummer Eve. A magical puzzle to be worked out and a task that only a woman can perform? Both things scream for Blackthorn. Initially, she doesn’t want to go, which is tedious because we know she will in the end. During the initial chapters I was repeatedly reprimanding Blackthorn: stop being coy. Not that she listened to me.
In addition to the main mystery plot, the two personal sub-arcs of Blackthorn and Grim are propelled forward. Additionally, the events are told in the present via the ordinary narrative and in the past via the story-telling.
In general I liked this sequel to Dreamer’s Pool less than the predecessor, mainly because the whole personal vendetta of Blackthorn bores me to death . Also Grim's personal trauma turned out to be one fat meh. .
All in all, only the chapters narrated by the Lady Geileis of Bann kept me on my toes (or thumbs, as I read the e-book). I liked the contrasts in her. She invited Blackthorn because she needed help but she didn't really want her to know anything about the story, therefore she didn't want Blackthorn actually helping. The tension between her outward appearance and her hidden ulterior motifs, this was what fuelled the book onward. The rest was basically a filler.
I appreciated the bittersweet ending, but I have to say one thing: for all her self-professed astuteness, Blackthorn is SO dense. If you are not Merillier hardcore fandom, you can safely skip this book and proceed straight to #3 where, I hope, Blackthorn will stop being thorny and Grim will abandon his grimness.
_____
Also in the series
1. Dreamer's Pool
3. Den of Wolves
Blackthorn, a wise woman miraculously rescued from unjust prison by a fey named Conmael is bound to repay this small courtesy spending seven years of her life in service of people: she must agree to every request for help and to stay within the borders of Dalriada. The problem is that not only the most reasonable request can be burdensome if we have no say in the matter, but also Blackthorn happens to be a cantankerous and not really sociable person. The only two living creatures she is able to withstand are her silent companion-friend, Grim, and her Dog (who is not a dog, really). She still wishes, the Dog would be bigger and an ugly one to keep people away.
It is then quite natural that a request to help comes involving a mysterious curse that features a monster in a tower shielded by thorns that must be dealt with by Midsummer Eve. A magical puzzle to be worked out and a task that only a woman can perform? Both things scream for Blackthorn. Initially, she doesn’t want to go, which is tedious because we know she will in the end. During the initial chapters I was repeatedly reprimanding Blackthorn: stop being coy. Not that she listened to me.
In addition to the main mystery plot, the two personal sub-arcs of Blackthorn and Grim are propelled forward. Additionally, the events are told in the present via the ordinary narrative and in the past via the story-telling.
In general I liked this sequel to Dreamer’s Pool less than the predecessor, mainly because the whole personal vendetta of Blackthorn bores me to death . Also Grim's personal trauma turned out to be one fat meh. .
All in all, only the chapters narrated by the Lady Geileis of Bann kept me on my toes (or thumbs, as I read the e-book). I liked the contrasts in her. She invited Blackthorn because she needed help but she didn't really want her to know anything about the story, therefore she didn't want Blackthorn actually helping. The tension between her outward appearance and her hidden ulterior motifs, this was what fuelled the book onward. The rest was basically a filler.
I appreciated the bittersweet ending, but I have to say one thing: for all her self-professed astuteness, Blackthorn is SO dense. If you are not Merillier hardcore fandom, you can safely skip this book and proceed straight to #3 where, I hope, Blackthorn will stop being thorny and Grim will abandon his grimness.
_____
Also in the series
1. Dreamer's Pool
3. Den of Wolves
August 23, 2018
No matter how many old stories a person knows, there is no preparation for finding yourself right in the middle of one.
This can’t be truer for our main characters Blackthorn and Grim. This time they find themselves is a tale that is a little bit of a mash up of Beauty and the Beast with Sleeping Beauty with some twists and a few little people. I like the fairytale aspect of this story, how it feels like a story within a story. But we the reader only learn small parts at a time and have to be patient to get to the ending and learn the moral and peril of the story along with Blackthorn and Grim.
I have to say that I love Blackthorn and Grim together. They both have extreme trauma in their pasts and have found a friendship and balance with one another. But dare I hope that it is growing into more than friendship…I dare, oh I dare. I ship them so much and really hope that both can heal a little from the past to be able to move on with the other. But still it is good to see how they have grown together and understand the other.
Grim is the best! He is the kindest soul and just the giving way he thinks about Blackthorn is fantastic. He is always giving when it comes to her and always kind. No matter if he might be a little jealous that a man from her past has found her and they can’t spend as much time together he is happy that she is happy.
“About happy endings. Folk like a story to finish well. Doesn’t matter if that’s true to life or not. Helps to hear about folk being content. About good folk getting what they deserve. While you’re listening you can believe, for a bit, that you’re good too. Worth a happy ending.”
Blackthorn again struggles with the promise made to Fey creature Conmael to help any who ask and not leave the borders of the land she is in for seven years. She still has a strong desired to see Mathuin, the man who destroyed her entire life punished and she will again struggle with the need for vengeance and the right thing to do.
Some of this was dark. Grim’s feelings about his own past and the struggle he has dealing with it. His feelings of not being enough for Blackthorn. But there is always hope and I loved how this story progressed not only the character development of Grim and Blackthorn but also the overall plot of Mathuin.
This is a slow rolling story with a lot of character development and so it won’t be for everyone. There is no Disney HEA either if that is what you are looking for. But there is a fairytale feel and it isn’t quite a Grim fairytale either. I’m happy to be in the in-between with Grim and Blackthorn yet again. After the ending I’m holding out a lot of hope that those two will find their way from this friendship to something much much deeper. Because they of course deserve a little, not a lot of happy after all that they have been through.
August 18, 2020
Já não existem contadoras de histórias tão boas como Juliet Marillier, ou pelo menos não me tenho cruzado com mais autor nenhum capaz de pegar em lendas tão antigas e transformá-las ou dar-lhes uma nova forma de forma tão apaixonante. Conheci esta autora há quase nove anos atrás, há apenas nove anos atrás, através da minha afilhada académica e foi o casamento perfeito. Alguns meses antes de a ler tinha começado a procurar e estudar fervorosamente todo o tipo de lendas relacionadas com mitologia celta, o que inclui os Encantados e toda uma panóplia de seres com as suas próprias dinâmicas e guerras, até ao seu desaparecimento quando o cristianismo se sobrepôs a tudo o resto. Tendo começado com a Trilogia de Sevenwaters, a fasquia ficou automaticamente elevada para qualquer livro dentro do mesmo género, incluindo da mesma autora.
A Torre de Espinhos, vem dar continuidade a A Floresta dos Sonhos, cujos protagonistas Blackthorn e Grim trazem consigo pesos dos seus passados que os esmagam e que influenciam todas as decisões que tomam. Neste volume da série Blackthorn & Grim, vão ser deparados com um novo desafio que acarreta com ele uma série de conflitos que cada um terá de enfrentar por si mesmo, mas que sem o outro o ciclo nunca ficará completo. No centro temos Geiléis e a lenda da torre dos espinhos que vai sendo contada por camadas, de forma muito inteligente, mantendo o leitor cada vez mais agarrado às páginas da obra.
O que mais admiro em Juliet Marillier é a capacidade que tem de atribuir uma textura emocional incontestável em cada um dos seus personagens. Mesmo com aqueles cujo papel é secundário, mesmo com aqueles pelos quais podemos não sentir empatia, o que nunca acontece, ou raramente acontece, é sentirmos indiferença pelo que estamos a ler. É fácil viajar entre os extremos de estarmos completamente empáticos e a sentirmos ao rubro o que Grim, por exemplo, pensa e sente, mas também é muito, muito fácil, sentirmos aquela emoção de querermos esmagar outras personagens pela sua natureza vil. Geiléis certamente não foi alguém consensual nem constante ao longo da história. Tanto senti empatia como vontade de a esganar, mas também esse jogo faz parte para que a avidez nunca atenue e queiramos chegar ao fim rapidamente.
Normalmente, a protagonista feminina nos livros de Juliet Marillier é incontestavelmente um dos pontos fortes, mas nesta série não tenho dúvidas que é em Grim que o eixo roda com mais fervor. À parte da trama principal com a torre dos espinhos, foi Grim quem mais evoluiu, quem mais se colocou à prova, com quem mais sofri. Quanto a Blackthorn, começa a ser um pouco... exagerado o facto de ela se manter tão cega, mesmo quando no fim tudo lhe é apresentado de forma tão clara. Resumindo, Juliet Marillier continua com uma mestria inigualável e mergulhar numa das suas obras é entrar numa outra dimensão em que o que está à nossa volta desaparece completamente. Mais do que recomendado!
A Torre de Espinhos, vem dar continuidade a A Floresta dos Sonhos, cujos protagonistas Blackthorn e Grim trazem consigo pesos dos seus passados que os esmagam e que influenciam todas as decisões que tomam. Neste volume da série Blackthorn & Grim, vão ser deparados com um novo desafio que acarreta com ele uma série de conflitos que cada um terá de enfrentar por si mesmo, mas que sem o outro o ciclo nunca ficará completo. No centro temos Geiléis e a lenda da torre dos espinhos que vai sendo contada por camadas, de forma muito inteligente, mantendo o leitor cada vez mais agarrado às páginas da obra.
O que mais admiro em Juliet Marillier é a capacidade que tem de atribuir uma textura emocional incontestável em cada um dos seus personagens. Mesmo com aqueles cujo papel é secundário, mesmo com aqueles pelos quais podemos não sentir empatia, o que nunca acontece, ou raramente acontece, é sentirmos indiferença pelo que estamos a ler. É fácil viajar entre os extremos de estarmos completamente empáticos e a sentirmos ao rubro o que Grim, por exemplo, pensa e sente, mas também é muito, muito fácil, sentirmos aquela emoção de querermos esmagar outras personagens pela sua natureza vil. Geiléis certamente não foi alguém consensual nem constante ao longo da história. Tanto senti empatia como vontade de a esganar, mas também esse jogo faz parte para que a avidez nunca atenue e queiramos chegar ao fim rapidamente.
Normalmente, a protagonista feminina nos livros de Juliet Marillier é incontestavelmente um dos pontos fortes, mas nesta série não tenho dúvidas que é em Grim que o eixo roda com mais fervor. À parte da trama principal com a torre dos espinhos, foi Grim quem mais evoluiu, quem mais se colocou à prova, com quem mais sofri. Quanto a Blackthorn, começa a ser um pouco... exagerado o facto de ela se manter tão cega, mesmo quando no fim tudo lhe é apresentado de forma tão clara. Resumindo, Juliet Marillier continua com uma mestria inigualável e mergulhar numa das suas obras é entrar numa outra dimensão em que o que está à nossa volta desaparece completamente. Mais do que recomendado!
November 16, 2015
The sequel to 'Dreamer's Pool,' 'Tower of Thorns' also works as a stand-alone. The beginning contains a quick catch-up on the events of the previous volume (including one of my complaints about the first installment: )
Aside from that, though, I didn't find the plot here nearly as troublesome as the earlier 'Blackthorn and Grim' adventure. Again, it's a tale inspired by fairy stories, with original elements. The odd couple are installed in Prince Oran's realm, living happily though chastely together, making themselves useful and abiding by the rules set for Blackthorn by the fey Conmael. (This book remains coy about his agenda and motivations.)
However, then a lady arrives at court, seeking a boon. Lady Geiléis says that her lands are cursed: a monster is trapped in a tower; every day its wailing and moaning echo across her holdings in a dreadful cacophony. A slight bit of contortion is necessary to make it so that Geiléis needs Blackthorn to come with her to try to solve the mystery and somehow make her way through the barrier of magical thorns in order to break the curse.
The fairy tale imagery and story elements are beautifully done. However, as a mystery, the way the story is structured is more than a bit frustrating. It's clear from the start that there's something suspicious about Geiléis, and that she isn't being totally honest. It's also clear that Blackthorn's old friend, who shows up at an awfully convenient juncture, is being far too pushy about what he wants Blackthorn to do. Meanwhile, Blackthorn doesn't really solve either mystery - she just kind of goes along with both things, wrestling with balancing her own desires with others' agendas, sure, but not really 'investigating' any of them. Meanwhile, the author slowly doles out information in dribs and drabs, in a way that ends up feeling annoying rather than revelatory.
Still, both Blackthorn and Grim are sympathetic, enjoyable characters, and I'd recommend this for anyone interested in exploring a new angle on the 'Sleeping Beauty' tale.
Many thanks to Roc and NetGalley for the opportunity to read. As always, my opinions are solely my own.
Aside from that, though, I didn't find the plot here nearly as troublesome as the earlier 'Blackthorn and Grim' adventure. Again, it's a tale inspired by fairy stories, with original elements. The odd couple are installed in Prince Oran's realm, living happily though chastely together, making themselves useful and abiding by the rules set for Blackthorn by the fey Conmael. (This book remains coy about his agenda and motivations.)
However, then a lady arrives at court, seeking a boon. Lady Geiléis says that her lands are cursed: a monster is trapped in a tower; every day its wailing and moaning echo across her holdings in a dreadful cacophony. A slight bit of contortion is necessary to make it so that Geiléis needs Blackthorn to come with her to try to solve the mystery and somehow make her way through the barrier of magical thorns in order to break the curse.
The fairy tale imagery and story elements are beautifully done. However, as a mystery, the way the story is structured is more than a bit frustrating. It's clear from the start that there's something suspicious about Geiléis, and that she isn't being totally honest. It's also clear that Blackthorn's old friend, who shows up at an awfully convenient juncture, is being far too pushy about what he wants Blackthorn to do. Meanwhile, Blackthorn doesn't really solve either mystery - she just kind of goes along with both things, wrestling with balancing her own desires with others' agendas, sure, but not really 'investigating' any of them. Meanwhile, the author slowly doles out information in dribs and drabs, in a way that ends up feeling annoying rather than revelatory.
Still, both Blackthorn and Grim are sympathetic, enjoyable characters, and I'd recommend this for anyone interested in exploring a new angle on the 'Sleeping Beauty' tale.
Many thanks to Roc and NetGalley for the opportunity to read. As always, my opinions are solely my own.
February 9, 2024
Habituei-me a esperar que os livros de Juliet Marillier fossem todos muito bons, já que, desde o primeiro que li, sinto sempre no fim da leitura uma sensação fantástica de bem-estar. Todos os elementos das histórias são mágicos, fantásticos... São livros brilhantes? Talvez não, mas só pela sensação de paz com que fico, após a leitura, faz valer a pena cada palavra lida.
Este livro, "A Torre de Espinhos", é diferente do primeiro livro desta série, que é muito bom, mas esta diferença não me impediu de adorar este também. Blackthorn e Grim são personagens que, pouco a pouco, foram-me encantando e que, neste momento, vivem nas minhas melhores memórias.
Este livro, "A Torre de Espinhos", é diferente do primeiro livro desta série, que é muito bom, mas esta diferença não me impediu de adorar este também. Blackthorn e Grim são personagens que, pouco a pouco, foram-me encantando e que, neste momento, vivem nas minhas melhores memórias.
October 4, 2015
***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***
Tower of Thorns by Juliet Marillier
Book Two of the Blackthorn & Grim series
Publisher: ROC
Publication Date: November 3, 2015
Rating: 5 stars
Source: eARC from NetGalley
Summary (from Goodreads):
Disillusioned healer Blackthorn and her companion, Grim, have settled in Dalriada to wait out the seven years of Blackthorn’s bond to her fey mentor, hoping to avoid any dire challenges. But trouble has a way of seeking out Blackthorn and Grim.
Lady Geiléis, a noblewoman from the northern border, has asked for the prince of Dalriada’s help in expelling a howling creature from an old tower on her land—one surrounded by an impenetrable hedge of thorns. Casting a blight over the entire district, and impossible to drive out by ordinary means, it threatens both the safety and the sanity of all who live nearby. With no ready solutions to offer, the prince consults Blackthorn and Grim.
As Blackthorn and Grim begin to put the pieces of this puzzle together, it’s apparent that a powerful adversary is working behind the scenes. Their quest is about to become a life and death struggle—a conflict in which even the closest of friends can find themselves on opposite sides.
What I Liked:
WOW. This book was really great. It took me by surprise, to be honest. Rarely is one book in a series just as good as another book in the series. I LOVED Dreamer's Pool, and it would appear that I loved Tower of Thorns as well!
In this sequel, Blackthorn and Grim set out to court, to attend Lady Flidais during her pregnancy. The prince is holding court while the king is away. While they are at court, a noblewoman arrives and pleads for help; a monster in the tower near her properties has been disturbing the land for nearly two years, wailing and screaming in the tower. The sound is unbearable, and Lady Geleis wants Blackthorn to rid the tower of the monster. Blackthorn and Grim begin to uncover secrets and truths about the holdings, the tower, and Lady Geleis. Something strange is afoot, and it could cost them their lives.
The first thing I'd like to say that I liked is that this book could probably be read as a standalone companion novel, which is pretty cool. I'd recommend you read Dreamer's Pool before reading this one, but I don't think it's actually necessary. This story is so different and separate from book one, and also, the author does a really good job of reintroducing information from book one that is important to know.
This story was so enchanting and haunting and eerie and intriguing! It's almost like a Sleeping Beauty tale, or Rapunzel. A woman has to go to the tower and slay the monster, ridding the village of the curse. Err, maybe not Sleeping Beauty, but some sort of fairy tale. Towers aren't new to fantasy or fairy tales, nor are thorns surrounding the tower, or fey, or curses.
The fantasy of this book is so rich and incredible. Marillier has the world-building down to a science! I love how descriptive her writing is, without making the novel boring or stagnant. You get a clear sense of where the characters are, what the woods look like, what the tower looks like. There are fey at work, creepy haunted forest, isolated tower, and secrets secrets secrets.
Blackthorn is her usual direct, astute, intelligent self, and Grim is his usual gruff, quiet, observant self. They are a great team, one catching the other's mistakes, or calming the other's moods, or just being there. Their relationship is very platonic, and it's nice how well they get along, knowing each other in and out.
Then there is Lady Geleis, who is the noblewoman in distress. We get to read from Blackthorn's perspective, Grim's perspective... and Geleis's. So we know that she knows more than she is telling Blackthorn. We know that she is hiding things deliberately. And we find out her secrets before Blackthorn does. I like how the author shares small bits of information bit by bit through Geleis's perspective. It keeps the reader guessing, and it makes us feel for Geleis.
There is another new secondary character in this story - Flannan, an old friend of Blackthorn's. His appearance is quite sudden and coincidental. Blackthorn is happy to see him, though he stirs up memories of her husband and child. Flannan is a good friend, an ambitious scholar, and not all that he seems, either.
Trust me when I say that this story will have you guessing and guessing incorrectly, mind you. It's almost creepy, in an eerie sense. I got chills at times, and not because the temperature just dropped drastically in the last few days (but seriously, this weather though). Marillier did such a great job with constructing the mood of this story!
Another interesting and heartbreaking and amazing thing she included in this story was more details on Grim's backstory and past, and how he struggles with PTSD in this story. I don't want to give away any details, but basically, parts of his past appear in this story in an indirect way, and he suffers greatly from PTSD. My heart broke for him every time my experienced a flashback or got physically ill or something of that nature! Yet it really shows how well Marillier dug into PTSD.
This story was different from the story of Dreamer's Pool, yet just as engrossing and fascinating. It has such a fairy tale vibe to it, but a really dark fairy tale, with a good ending. The ending is highly satisfying, people! And it makes you want another book, but not in a cliffhanger sense. More like a I-want-to-experience-more-from-this-world type of feeling!
What I Did Not Like:
Hmm, nothing in particular. This book is long? Didn't bother me, but just an FYI for those who don't like long books. It's a bit dense too, but once you're hooked, you'll not be able to stop reading!
Would I Recommend It:
I love fantasy and I loved Dreamer's Pool and clearly I loved this book too, so I must recommend this book (and series). If you like fantasy, especially adult fiction type of fantasy, this is your book. It's not Young Adult at all, very adult fiction, but not in a blood/gore/sex/explicit content kind of way. It's dense, but it's a great read!
Rating:
5 stars. This rating is very rare from me - I don't find many books that I can call a "favorite" or THAT GOOD. But this book is that good! It's even rarer that a novel and its sequel will get back-to-back five-star ratings from me. So... that's an indicator of SOMETHING, right?! Go forth and experience this series!
Tower of Thorns by Juliet Marillier
Book Two of the Blackthorn & Grim series
Publisher: ROC
Publication Date: November 3, 2015
Rating: 5 stars
Source: eARC from NetGalley
Summary (from Goodreads):
Disillusioned healer Blackthorn and her companion, Grim, have settled in Dalriada to wait out the seven years of Blackthorn’s bond to her fey mentor, hoping to avoid any dire challenges. But trouble has a way of seeking out Blackthorn and Grim.
Lady Geiléis, a noblewoman from the northern border, has asked for the prince of Dalriada’s help in expelling a howling creature from an old tower on her land—one surrounded by an impenetrable hedge of thorns. Casting a blight over the entire district, and impossible to drive out by ordinary means, it threatens both the safety and the sanity of all who live nearby. With no ready solutions to offer, the prince consults Blackthorn and Grim.
As Blackthorn and Grim begin to put the pieces of this puzzle together, it’s apparent that a powerful adversary is working behind the scenes. Their quest is about to become a life and death struggle—a conflict in which even the closest of friends can find themselves on opposite sides.
What I Liked:
WOW. This book was really great. It took me by surprise, to be honest. Rarely is one book in a series just as good as another book in the series. I LOVED Dreamer's Pool, and it would appear that I loved Tower of Thorns as well!
In this sequel, Blackthorn and Grim set out to court, to attend Lady Flidais during her pregnancy. The prince is holding court while the king is away. While they are at court, a noblewoman arrives and pleads for help; a monster in the tower near her properties has been disturbing the land for nearly two years, wailing and screaming in the tower. The sound is unbearable, and Lady Geleis wants Blackthorn to rid the tower of the monster. Blackthorn and Grim begin to uncover secrets and truths about the holdings, the tower, and Lady Geleis. Something strange is afoot, and it could cost them their lives.
The first thing I'd like to say that I liked is that this book could probably be read as a standalone companion novel, which is pretty cool. I'd recommend you read Dreamer's Pool before reading this one, but I don't think it's actually necessary. This story is so different and separate from book one, and also, the author does a really good job of reintroducing information from book one that is important to know.
This story was so enchanting and haunting and eerie and intriguing! It's almost like a Sleeping Beauty tale, or Rapunzel. A woman has to go to the tower and slay the monster, ridding the village of the curse. Err, maybe not Sleeping Beauty, but some sort of fairy tale. Towers aren't new to fantasy or fairy tales, nor are thorns surrounding the tower, or fey, or curses.
The fantasy of this book is so rich and incredible. Marillier has the world-building down to a science! I love how descriptive her writing is, without making the novel boring or stagnant. You get a clear sense of where the characters are, what the woods look like, what the tower looks like. There are fey at work, creepy haunted forest, isolated tower, and secrets secrets secrets.
Blackthorn is her usual direct, astute, intelligent self, and Grim is his usual gruff, quiet, observant self. They are a great team, one catching the other's mistakes, or calming the other's moods, or just being there. Their relationship is very platonic, and it's nice how well they get along, knowing each other in and out.
Then there is Lady Geleis, who is the noblewoman in distress. We get to read from Blackthorn's perspective, Grim's perspective... and Geleis's. So we know that she knows more than she is telling Blackthorn. We know that she is hiding things deliberately. And we find out her secrets before Blackthorn does. I like how the author shares small bits of information bit by bit through Geleis's perspective. It keeps the reader guessing, and it makes us feel for Geleis.
There is another new secondary character in this story - Flannan, an old friend of Blackthorn's. His appearance is quite sudden and coincidental. Blackthorn is happy to see him, though he stirs up memories of her husband and child. Flannan is a good friend, an ambitious scholar, and not all that he seems, either.
Trust me when I say that this story will have you guessing and guessing incorrectly, mind you. It's almost creepy, in an eerie sense. I got chills at times, and not because the temperature just dropped drastically in the last few days (but seriously, this weather though). Marillier did such a great job with constructing the mood of this story!
Another interesting and heartbreaking and amazing thing she included in this story was more details on Grim's backstory and past, and how he struggles with PTSD in this story. I don't want to give away any details, but basically, parts of his past appear in this story in an indirect way, and he suffers greatly from PTSD. My heart broke for him every time my experienced a flashback or got physically ill or something of that nature! Yet it really shows how well Marillier dug into PTSD.
This story was different from the story of Dreamer's Pool, yet just as engrossing and fascinating. It has such a fairy tale vibe to it, but a really dark fairy tale, with a good ending. The ending is highly satisfying, people! And it makes you want another book, but not in a cliffhanger sense. More like a I-want-to-experience-more-from-this-world type of feeling!
What I Did Not Like:
Hmm, nothing in particular. This book is long? Didn't bother me, but just an FYI for those who don't like long books. It's a bit dense too, but once you're hooked, you'll not be able to stop reading!
Would I Recommend It:
I love fantasy and I loved Dreamer's Pool and clearly I loved this book too, so I must recommend this book (and series). If you like fantasy, especially adult fiction type of fantasy, this is your book. It's not Young Adult at all, very adult fiction, but not in a blood/gore/sex/explicit content kind of way. It's dense, but it's a great read!
Rating:
5 stars. This rating is very rare from me - I don't find many books that I can call a "favorite" or THAT GOOD. But this book is that good! It's even rarer that a novel and its sequel will get back-to-back five-star ratings from me. So... that's an indicator of SOMETHING, right?! Go forth and experience this series!
September 19, 2019
I feel like a bit of a traitor. I LOVE Juilet Marillier! The first book in the Sevenwaters series "Daughter of the Forest" is probably my favourite book of ALL TIME! Yet, I haven't finished Blackthorn and Grim yet! HOW DARE I?!
The Story
Blackthorn and Grimm are off on another adventure. Blackthorn with her promise to Conmael, is unable to deny any requests for help and of course, it gets her into some trouble. This time with a monster in a tower that she is called upon to banish. How is she going to get this done? Will she ever get revenge on her arch nemesis? And will she and Grim GET TOGETHER ALREADY!!!???
My Thoughts
I really enjoyed this second instalment of the Blackthorn and Grimm series. It was yet another awesome adventure with a lot of twists and turns.
The slow burning romance is almost painful, but no entirely in a bad way. But it is just SO SLOW!
There was a fair bit of character development with Grim which I really enjoyed. I also loved the Celtic fairy tale vibe to the whole thing.
The writing was impeccable in usual Marillier style, if perhaps slightly predictable in some places... I enjoyed the ending, it gave us an indication of things to come in the next one which I am looking forward to.
Did I enjoy the audio
Yes I really love this series on audio. Blackthorn and Grim's narrators are fantastic! It is a really enjoyable listen that always goes quickly because I am always listening to it!
Would I recommend Tower of Thorns?
Absolutely. You won't be able to make much sense of it without reading the first one Dreamer's Poolfirst though. But it is a fun series. REALLY hoping for more romance in the next one!
I purchased Tower of Thorns at my own expense on audible.com
For more reviews check out my:
Blog
Instagram
Twitter
Facebook
The Story
Blackthorn and Grimm are off on another adventure. Blackthorn with her promise to Conmael, is unable to deny any requests for help and of course, it gets her into some trouble. This time with a monster in a tower that she is called upon to banish. How is she going to get this done? Will she ever get revenge on her arch nemesis? And will she and Grim GET TOGETHER ALREADY!!!???
My Thoughts
I really enjoyed this second instalment of the Blackthorn and Grimm series. It was yet another awesome adventure with a lot of twists and turns.
The slow burning romance is almost painful, but no entirely in a bad way. But it is just SO SLOW!
There was a fair bit of character development with Grim which I really enjoyed. I also loved the Celtic fairy tale vibe to the whole thing.
The writing was impeccable in usual Marillier style, if perhaps slightly predictable in some places... I enjoyed the ending, it gave us an indication of things to come in the next one which I am looking forward to.
Did I enjoy the audio
Yes I really love this series on audio. Blackthorn and Grim's narrators are fantastic! It is a really enjoyable listen that always goes quickly because I am always listening to it!
Would I recommend Tower of Thorns?
Absolutely. You won't be able to make much sense of it without reading the first one Dreamer's Poolfirst though. But it is a fun series. REALLY hoping for more romance in the next one!
I purchased Tower of Thorns at my own expense on audible.com
For more reviews check out my:
Blog
November 20, 2015
Only four stars because she didn't pull my heart out through my throat and squeeze it into a messy pulp. Daughter of the Forest reigns unchallenged yet.
November 26, 2015
Juliet Marillier and I are in a committed relationship.
Okay, I lie. It's one-sided. I'm committed to her. I have the utmost faith in her storytelling abilities and she has never once disappointed me. Sure, she did underwhelmed me with Dreamer's Pool and its plot and mystery, but I absolutely loved her characters. She didn't fail to make me care deeply for her characters and now I am strongly attached to companions Blackthorn and Grim. I love these two as friends. (Although I wouldn't be against the possibility of them being lovers.)
In this second book, Tower of Thorns we learn more about Blackthorn and we finally learn about Grim's past and oh my, did my heart suffer.
The Pros:
Grim. That precious human being. A gentle and tortured soul who's loyal to a fault.
Blackthorn. The healer No duh. A story is not completed without a strong heroine. She's a risk taker
The friendship. These two were cell mates in prison until they were broken out by one of the Fey. They become traveling companions, friends, and pretty much each other's rock and conscience.
The Fey Their helpfulness. Their ways of giving answers without being so direct.
The Cons:
The mystery stopped intriguing me from the middle because as the author kept hinting at the mystery, she never bothered to reveal anything new or worth knowing and of course that dragged the story for me. I had to push myself to keep reading then I became captivated by the ending.
September 5, 2017
Esta escritora é a minha terapeuta. Sim, porque eu acredito na biblioterapia.
Sou bem capaz de admitir que se pode tratar estados de alma através dos benefícios da leitura e com a enormíssima vantagem de não haver contraindicações.
Juliet Marillier é então o meu refúgio… vou reservando alguns dela por ler para os saborear nas alturas certas.
Sedenta de os ler, mas contenho-me.
Chegado o dia certo, é um momento especial resgatá-lo. É um bálsamo. Não é racional. Eu sei. Não corresponde de todo ao melhor que tenho lido em termos linguísticos, não fico imbuída de informação e conhecimento, e no entanto nunca lhe dou menos de 5 estrelas.
É que estes livros fazem-me feliz. É um mundo de magia e encantamento que me transporta para outra dimensão, para aquela idade da ingenuidade em que os sonhos são tantos e tão inocentemente possíveis que não apetece sair de lá.
Quem não gosta de ver os filmes de animação A Pequena Sereia, Mulan, a Bela e o Monstro, Entrelaçados, Peter Pan, Nemo, Shrek, Spirit e tantos mais? Quem não fica com o coração leve ao ver estas pérolas? Eu tenho o privilégio de ser mãe e de ter o pretexto certo para ver e rever (e rever, e rever…) o que se fez e continua a fazer de animação. Com esta autora sinto estas mesmas sensações.
Portanto, esta opinião vale o que vale. As minhas considerações sobre Juliet Marillier serão sempre suspeitas. Nem falei do livro... mas é óbvio que adorei!
Sou bem capaz de admitir que se pode tratar estados de alma através dos benefícios da leitura e com a enormíssima vantagem de não haver contraindicações.
Juliet Marillier é então o meu refúgio… vou reservando alguns dela por ler para os saborear nas alturas certas.
Sedenta de os ler, mas contenho-me.
Chegado o dia certo, é um momento especial resgatá-lo. É um bálsamo. Não é racional. Eu sei. Não corresponde de todo ao melhor que tenho lido em termos linguísticos, não fico imbuída de informação e conhecimento, e no entanto nunca lhe dou menos de 5 estrelas.
É que estes livros fazem-me feliz. É um mundo de magia e encantamento que me transporta para outra dimensão, para aquela idade da ingenuidade em que os sonhos são tantos e tão inocentemente possíveis que não apetece sair de lá.
Quem não gosta de ver os filmes de animação A Pequena Sereia, Mulan, a Bela e o Monstro, Entrelaçados, Peter Pan, Nemo, Shrek, Spirit e tantos mais? Quem não fica com o coração leve ao ver estas pérolas? Eu tenho o privilégio de ser mãe e de ter o pretexto certo para ver e rever (e rever, e rever…) o que se fez e continua a fazer de animação. Com esta autora sinto estas mesmas sensações.
Portanto, esta opinião vale o que vale. As minhas considerações sobre Juliet Marillier serão sempre suspeitas. Nem falei do livro... mas é óbvio que adorei!
July 5, 2016
Blackthorn and Grim continue on their long path towards healing while being the goto team for supernatural issues in Northern Ireland.
Prince Oran and his pregnant wife travel to court taking Blackthorn and Grim with them. There they encounter the Lady Geiléis who has come to court seeking aid. Her lands are plagued by a monster who screams all day, every day, from the top of a tower ringed with impenetrable thorns. To hear the monster is to be afflicted with despair, and many travelers have come to grief because of it. Blackthorn also encounters an old friend from her past who brings back to mind her frustrations with not being able to bring Mathuin to justice.
Blackthorn and Grim continue to make excellent partners and fantastic protagonists for these long and incredibly detailed stories. The supernatural elements of this one are far more apparent that the previous one, but just as painfully slow to tease out. I find myself not minding so much because Marillier's writing is just so beautiful and her characters so compelling. Blackthorn gets to revisit her decision in the first book to head off south to seek justice, this time with the temptation of a solid plan to take down Mathuin and it's interesting to see how her thinking has changed on this issue. Grim also gets to address his past in this one, and it's every bit as heartbreaking as the rest of this series has been.
The eventual conclusion is not to be missed either and while very satisfying from one sense, the reaction of both characters is entirely believable.
Prince Oran and his pregnant wife travel to court taking Blackthorn and Grim with them. There they encounter the Lady Geiléis who has come to court seeking aid. Her lands are plagued by a monster who screams all day, every day, from the top of a tower ringed with impenetrable thorns. To hear the monster is to be afflicted with despair, and many travelers have come to grief because of it. Blackthorn also encounters an old friend from her past who brings back to mind her frustrations with not being able to bring Mathuin to justice.
Blackthorn and Grim continue to make excellent partners and fantastic protagonists for these long and incredibly detailed stories. The supernatural elements of this one are far more apparent that the previous one, but just as painfully slow to tease out. I find myself not minding so much because Marillier's writing is just so beautiful and her characters so compelling. Blackthorn gets to revisit her decision in the first book to head off south to seek justice, this time with the temptation of a solid plan to take down Mathuin and it's interesting to see how her thinking has changed on this issue. Grim also gets to address his past in this one, and it's every bit as heartbreaking as the rest of this series has been.
The eventual conclusion is not to be missed either and while very satisfying from one sense, the reaction of both characters is entirely believable.
July 30, 2018
(review in English below)
Muito melhor do que o primeiro livro da série, na minha opinião. Conseguiu agarrar-me praticamente desde o início e manteve-me assim até ao final, e com vontade de ler o terceiro volume já de seguida.
Preferia que toda a história fosse contada como nos capítulos de Geiléis, ou seja, na terceira pessoa, e não como nos de Blackthorn e nos de Grim, que estão escritos na primeira pessoa. No entanto, colocando-nos dentro da cabeça dos protagonistas, a autora consegue transmitir-nos com mais eficácia as consequências psicológicas dos traumas que eles sofreram no passado. Aliás, nos Agradecimentos, ela refere a pesquisa que fez sobre o Stress Pós-Traumático.
Ansiosa por saber o que me reserva o final desta história!
Much better than the first book of the series, in my opinion. I was grabbed almost from the beginning and it kept me that way until the end, and wanting to read the third volume right away.
I would have preferred that the whole story had been told as in the Geiléis chapters, that is, in the third person, and not as in the Blackthorn and in the Grim chapters, that are written in the first person. However, by putting us inside the protagonists' head, the author is able to convey more effectively the psychological consequences of their past traumas. In the Acknowledgements at the end of the book, she mentions her research on Post-traumatic stress disorder.
I'm eager to know how this story will end!
Muito melhor do que o primeiro livro da série, na minha opinião. Conseguiu agarrar-me praticamente desde o início e manteve-me assim até ao final, e com vontade de ler o terceiro volume já de seguida.
Preferia que toda a história fosse contada como nos capítulos de Geiléis, ou seja, na terceira pessoa, e não como nos de Blackthorn e nos de Grim, que estão escritos na primeira pessoa. No entanto, colocando-nos dentro da cabeça dos protagonistas, a autora consegue transmitir-nos com mais eficácia as consequências psicológicas dos traumas que eles sofreram no passado. Aliás, nos Agradecimentos, ela refere a pesquisa que fez sobre o Stress Pós-Traumático.
Ansiosa por saber o que me reserva o final desta história!
Much better than the first book of the series, in my opinion. I was grabbed almost from the beginning and it kept me that way until the end, and wanting to read the third volume right away.
I would have preferred that the whole story had been told as in the Geiléis chapters, that is, in the third person, and not as in the Blackthorn and in the Grim chapters, that are written in the first person. However, by putting us inside the protagonists' head, the author is able to convey more effectively the psychological consequences of their past traumas. In the Acknowledgements at the end of the book, she mentions her research on Post-traumatic stress disorder.
I'm eager to know how this story will end!
July 28, 2025
Enchanting and wonderful. I fell completely in love with Grim in this story and can’t wait to read the next.
November 18, 2024
3.5 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
By the light of flickering candles she whispered the story: the old, old story. Each time it was a little different, for she twisted and turned it according to her mood. But no matter what the manner of telling, the tale was cruel as a knife; bitter as gall.
Blackthorn and Grim embark on a new quest in Tower of Thorns to uncover the mystery of the howling monster living in an eerie tower and a curse crafted by the cunning Fey that destroyed a young innocent love long ago.
Still bound to her bargain to a Fey Lord, Blackthorn now has six years left to fulfill her part of it. Even with the ghosts of their past haunting them, Blackthorn and Grim's bond proves to be growing stronger even as they face new obstacles in their quest.
We get a new POV chapter narrated by the enigmatic Lady Geiléis, a noble woman who sought out Blackthorn and Grim to help rid her land of the howling beast, and their quest must be completed by Midsummer Eve. There is a generous sprinkle of clues throughout her chapters that slowly takes the veil off the truth and her chapters happen to be my favorite parts of the book!
This installment was reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast layered with Juliet Marillier's brilliant storytelling and the dark fairytale backdrop she cleverly renders.
The first half felt a little stagnant but halfway through the puzzle pieces finally begun to fit together.
I wish Juliet didn't hurt me with that ending though.
Juliet Marillier's take on the Fey/Fae is one of my favorites!! I miss reading about how devious the Fey are in fantasy books these days.
Content warning: PTSD, off-page indirect mention of sexual assault, unconventional HEA.
By the light of flickering candles she whispered the story: the old, old story. Each time it was a little different, for she twisted and turned it according to her mood. But no matter what the manner of telling, the tale was cruel as a knife; bitter as gall.
Blackthorn and Grim embark on a new quest in Tower of Thorns to uncover the mystery of the howling monster living in an eerie tower and a curse crafted by the cunning Fey that destroyed a young innocent love long ago.
Still bound to her bargain to a Fey Lord, Blackthorn now has six years left to fulfill her part of it. Even with the ghosts of their past haunting them, Blackthorn and Grim's bond proves to be growing stronger even as they face new obstacles in their quest.
We get a new POV chapter narrated by the enigmatic Lady Geiléis, a noble woman who sought out Blackthorn and Grim to help rid her land of the howling beast, and their quest must be completed by Midsummer Eve. There is a generous sprinkle of clues throughout her chapters that slowly takes the veil off the truth and her chapters happen to be my favorite parts of the book!
This installment was reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast layered with Juliet Marillier's brilliant storytelling and the dark fairytale backdrop she cleverly renders.
The first half felt a little stagnant but halfway through the puzzle pieces finally begun to fit together.
I wish Juliet didn't hurt me with that ending though.
Juliet Marillier's take on the Fey/Fae is one of my favorites!! I miss reading about how devious the Fey are in fantasy books these days.
Content warning: PTSD, off-page indirect mention of sexual assault, unconventional HEA.
January 19, 2020
This was a low key read and didn’t turn out too bad. It is another fairy love story but instead of a happy ending, it was somewhat tragic.
Lily and Ash fell in love, love at first sight, Ash was under a curse and Lily swore to break him free of it, the chance to do so comes once every fifty years, after trying a failing several times; she sought out the help of the brilliant wise woman and healer, Blackthorn to help her out. I won’t call the conclusion a happy ending for Lily and Ash...Nonetheless it was a great story.
It’s the second book and I am still waiting for Blackthorn and Grim to discover their need for each other and fall in love. So far I am content with them helping others find healing, redemption and love; however, it’s time for them to enjoy the same thing. I am hoping the last book in the series will bring about this, and give them a happy ending.
On to the last book in the series!
Lily and Ash fell in love, love at first sight, Ash was under a curse and Lily swore to break him free of it, the chance to do so comes once every fifty years, after trying a failing several times; she sought out the help of the brilliant wise woman and healer, Blackthorn to help her out. I won’t call the conclusion a happy ending for Lily and Ash...Nonetheless it was a great story.
It’s the second book and I am still waiting for Blackthorn and Grim to discover their need for each other and fall in love. So far I am content with them helping others find healing, redemption and love; however, it’s time for them to enjoy the same thing. I am hoping the last book in the series will bring about this, and give them a happy ending.
On to the last book in the series!
August 21, 2016
To give less than a four star rating to a Marillier's story, feels almost sacrilegious, but, YE gods of books, this was boring!
On and on about past traumas, and roof... fixing. Honestly, we get more descriptions of Grim fixing a roof that we do about interesting stuff, like lifting up a curse.
I don't know what has happened to Marillier's magical touch, but I'm afraid that her latest stories have become quite tiresome.
FRC
July 17, 2016
I fell in love with both Blackthorn and Grim in Dreamer's Pool but this series is honestly getting better and better with each new book. I'm not sure that I have enough words to do Tower of Thorns justice but I'm going to try because I really do want everyone to discover these wonderful books for themselves. Although this book does work well as a stand alone I do think you'll be missing out by not reading the series in order, mainly because both books are excellent but also because it's been so brilliant watching the friendship slowly build between the main characters.
Blackthorn and Grim have started to build a life for themselves in their new home, Blackthorn would deny it but even she has made a few ties within the community and I think she's enjoying practising her craft as a wise woman again. She still doesn't have much patience and doesn't have the best people skills but she is very good at figuring out what is going on and finding a solution to fix it. When Prince Oran is approached by a noblewoman who is in desperate need of assistance Blackthorn is the most likely person to be able to help her. You see Lady Geiléis's lands are being badly affected by a cursed monster that's been trapped in a tower near her home. The monster howls from dawn to dusk without letup and it's driving the people and animals in the vicinity mad. This has been going on for nearly two years now and Lady Geiléis is desperate for a way to make it stop.
Blackthorn initially isn't keen to offer her services but an old friend convinces her to investigate, promising her it will get her one step closer to taking revenge on her greatest enemy. Grim has reservations about it but he would follow Blackthorn to hell and back if it meant he could keep her safe so when Blackthorn agrees to help Grim travels with her to Lady Geiléis's home. When they arrive it quickly becomes clear that there is more going on than they originally suspected but what remains to be seen is whether they can solve the mystery in time or whether the curse will cost them more than they ever bargained for.
I'm not really going to talk much more about the plot in this review because I want to focus on the characters. We've seen a huge change in Blackthorn since the beginning but she's still a damaged young woman who is desperate to take revenge on the person who wronged her (and who can blame her after everything she's been through!). I've enjoyed seeing her character start to take a small amount of pleasure in things again though and I've loved watching her friendship with Grim develop. I'm desperately hoping for romance between these two at some point but I'm so glad Juliet Marillier is taking her time with them because they're both too damaged to find their happily ever after just yet. I was a tiny bit irritated with Blackthorn in this book because of the way she turned all of her focus onto a familiar face from her distant past. I could understand why she was so pleased to see someone who knew her before her life was destroyed but I was upset for poor Grim who was so convinced that she was going to replace him with the new guy. It was interesting to get more of a glimpse into a side of Blackthorn that we've never met before though and I did love the way things turned out in the end.
In the first book Grim was more in the background, he was there to help Blackthorn whenever she needed him but we didn't get to learn much about his past or why he had such a low opinion of himself so I was thrilled that we got to see much more of him here. I absolutely love Grim's character, he's the kind of guy who is pretty happy to fade into the background but he goes out of his way to help anyone he meets and he's far more intelligent than most people give him credit for. People seem to think that because he's big, strong and quiet he can't be clever but that is far from the truth and he's very observant in an unobtrusive way. Blackthorn relies on his instincts as much as her own and I love the way she always turns to him to talk through her ideas. It's heartbreaking to see how little Grim thinks of himself and I really want to see that change as the series continues but now we have had a chance to learn more about his background I can understand why he feels that way. I'm not going to talk about what happened to him but I will say his scenes stole the limelight in this book and left me more in love with him than ever. He is just as damaged as Blackthorn but we got to see him do a little healing here and I was so proud of him for the way he faced up to his past and started dealing with his issues. There's still a way to go but he's definitely making progress.
This series has a really familiar, fairytale type feel to it, Juliet Marillier has created a world full of magic and fae folk, there are dark curses and mysterious goings on but also strong friendships and some really light hearted and fun moments that just make you smile. From the moment I picked up Tower of Thorns until I reached the very last page I didn't want to put this book down and even then I just wanted to turn to the beginning and start reading it all over again. This series has quickly become one of my favourites and I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of Den of Wolves when it's released later this year.
Blackthorn and Grim have started to build a life for themselves in their new home, Blackthorn would deny it but even she has made a few ties within the community and I think she's enjoying practising her craft as a wise woman again. She still doesn't have much patience and doesn't have the best people skills but she is very good at figuring out what is going on and finding a solution to fix it. When Prince Oran is approached by a noblewoman who is in desperate need of assistance Blackthorn is the most likely person to be able to help her. You see Lady Geiléis's lands are being badly affected by a cursed monster that's been trapped in a tower near her home. The monster howls from dawn to dusk without letup and it's driving the people and animals in the vicinity mad. This has been going on for nearly two years now and Lady Geiléis is desperate for a way to make it stop.
Blackthorn initially isn't keen to offer her services but an old friend convinces her to investigate, promising her it will get her one step closer to taking revenge on her greatest enemy. Grim has reservations about it but he would follow Blackthorn to hell and back if it meant he could keep her safe so when Blackthorn agrees to help Grim travels with her to Lady Geiléis's home. When they arrive it quickly becomes clear that there is more going on than they originally suspected but what remains to be seen is whether they can solve the mystery in time or whether the curse will cost them more than they ever bargained for.
I'm not really going to talk much more about the plot in this review because I want to focus on the characters. We've seen a huge change in Blackthorn since the beginning but she's still a damaged young woman who is desperate to take revenge on the person who wronged her (and who can blame her after everything she's been through!). I've enjoyed seeing her character start to take a small amount of pleasure in things again though and I've loved watching her friendship with Grim develop. I'm desperately hoping for romance between these two at some point but I'm so glad Juliet Marillier is taking her time with them because they're both too damaged to find their happily ever after just yet. I was a tiny bit irritated with Blackthorn in this book because of the way she turned all of her focus onto a familiar face from her distant past. I could understand why she was so pleased to see someone who knew her before her life was destroyed but I was upset for poor Grim who was so convinced that she was going to replace him with the new guy. It was interesting to get more of a glimpse into a side of Blackthorn that we've never met before though and I did love the way things turned out in the end.
In the first book Grim was more in the background, he was there to help Blackthorn whenever she needed him but we didn't get to learn much about his past or why he had such a low opinion of himself so I was thrilled that we got to see much more of him here. I absolutely love Grim's character, he's the kind of guy who is pretty happy to fade into the background but he goes out of his way to help anyone he meets and he's far more intelligent than most people give him credit for. People seem to think that because he's big, strong and quiet he can't be clever but that is far from the truth and he's very observant in an unobtrusive way. Blackthorn relies on his instincts as much as her own and I love the way she always turns to him to talk through her ideas. It's heartbreaking to see how little Grim thinks of himself and I really want to see that change as the series continues but now we have had a chance to learn more about his background I can understand why he feels that way. I'm not going to talk about what happened to him but I will say his scenes stole the limelight in this book and left me more in love with him than ever. He is just as damaged as Blackthorn but we got to see him do a little healing here and I was so proud of him for the way he faced up to his past and started dealing with his issues. There's still a way to go but he's definitely making progress.
This series has a really familiar, fairytale type feel to it, Juliet Marillier has created a world full of magic and fae folk, there are dark curses and mysterious goings on but also strong friendships and some really light hearted and fun moments that just make you smile. From the moment I picked up Tower of Thorns until I reached the very last page I didn't want to put this book down and even then I just wanted to turn to the beginning and start reading it all over again. This series has quickly become one of my favourites and I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of Den of Wolves when it's released later this year.
April 19, 2022
5 STELLINE PIENE PIENE TIRATE A JULIET MARILLIER CON UNA FIONDA DI PRECISIONE NELL’OCCHIO SINISTRO (spero di non averle fatto male COME LEI HA FATTO A ME)
Tower of Thorns prende la sindrome da secondo libro e la percuote ripetutamente con un randello. Mamma mia quanta violenza in questa recensione. È che quando sono tanto innamorata non riesco a elaborare i miei sentimenti in modo sano. Adesso ci provo.
In Tower of Thorns ritroviamo i nostri due protagonisti, Blackthorn e Grim, scappati da una vita di prigionia, alle prese con un nuovo mistero dalle tinte sovrannaturali da risolvere. Praticamente X-Files ma cottagecore.
A differenza del primo libro, che si prendeva il suo tempo per fare entrare il lettore nell’atmosfera, per fare conoscere i personaggi, e “l’indagine” la introduceva molto avanti nella storia, con ToT si entra SUBITO nel vivo, Blackthorn e Grim sono chiamati subito a risolvere il problema che affligge la povera Lady Geiléis. Quindi, ecco, se nella recensione del primo libro sono riuscita a inventarmi un “””””difetto””””” parlando dell’iniziale lentezza, qui non posso proprio farlo. Non riesco. Non c’è niente che non vada in questo libro. (Lo devo proprio dire? Ovviamente parlo di gusto personale. Shock.) Il mistero è molto più coinvolgente e divertente da risolvere, viene rivelato poco a poco in maniera graduale, tutto raccontato come fosse una fiaba.
Il tema della fiaba torna sempre, però calato in un mondo che in qualche modo sembra reale…non so bene come spiegarlo. Il concetto di lieto fine, il vero amore, accompagnati però da tematiche forti e crude, personaggi reali, che devono affrontare i loro traumi, le loro paure. C’è TANTO. In particolare in questo libro si parla di verità, di manipolazione, sensi di colpa, di legami indissolubili.
I personaggi rimangono la forza più grande di questa serie (che di forze ne ha tante). Blackthorn diventa sempre più aperta, e si rende conto di quanto sia importante il suo legame con Grim. Impara poco a poco ad accettare il suo passato, e a smettere di sentirsi responsabile per quello che è successo. Ma la crescita più grande in questo libro l’ha sicuramente Grim. In questo libro si ritrova ad affrontare i suoi demoni, a rivivere il suo passato. E fa tanto male. Quello che ho adorato della sua crescita, in particolare, è che è molto graduale, e che, nonostante abbia l’appoggio di Blackthorn sempre e comunque, questa è una difficoltà che deve affrontare da solo. Quando stiamo male le persone che ci circondano possono fare molto, ma alla fine il vero cambiamento deve venire da noi. Ed è questo realismo che ho adorato: anche se siamo in un mondo da fiaba, con fate, maledizioni, vero amore, alla fine Grim deve trovare la forza dentro di se per affrontare i suoi demoni. Bello bello bello.
Non parliamo del loro rapporto, poi. Ne ho già parlato tanto nella recensione del primo libro, e non ho molto da aggiungere. Il loro rapporto si fa sempre più profondo e bello, è costruito in modo graduale, è bellissimo. Don’t even know what to say. Sono così simili ma così diversi, si completano, si aiutano ahhshshahajajaakkak vado in tilt
Se siete arrivati fin qui, eroi. Ora andate a leggere questa trilogia.
Tower of Thorns prende la sindrome da secondo libro e la percuote ripetutamente con un randello. Mamma mia quanta violenza in questa recensione. È che quando sono tanto innamorata non riesco a elaborare i miei sentimenti in modo sano. Adesso ci provo.
In Tower of Thorns ritroviamo i nostri due protagonisti, Blackthorn e Grim, scappati da una vita di prigionia, alle prese con un nuovo mistero dalle tinte sovrannaturali da risolvere. Praticamente X-Files ma cottagecore.
A differenza del primo libro, che si prendeva il suo tempo per fare entrare il lettore nell’atmosfera, per fare conoscere i personaggi, e “l’indagine” la introduceva molto avanti nella storia, con ToT si entra SUBITO nel vivo, Blackthorn e Grim sono chiamati subito a risolvere il problema che affligge la povera Lady Geiléis. Quindi, ecco, se nella recensione del primo libro sono riuscita a inventarmi un “””””difetto””””” parlando dell’iniziale lentezza, qui non posso proprio farlo. Non riesco. Non c’è niente che non vada in questo libro. (Lo devo proprio dire? Ovviamente parlo di gusto personale. Shock.) Il mistero è molto più coinvolgente e divertente da risolvere, viene rivelato poco a poco in maniera graduale, tutto raccontato come fosse una fiaba.
Il tema della fiaba torna sempre, però calato in un mondo che in qualche modo sembra reale…non so bene come spiegarlo. Il concetto di lieto fine, il vero amore, accompagnati però da tematiche forti e crude, personaggi reali, che devono affrontare i loro traumi, le loro paure. C’è TANTO. In particolare in questo libro si parla di verità, di manipolazione, sensi di colpa, di legami indissolubili.
I personaggi rimangono la forza più grande di questa serie (che di forze ne ha tante). Blackthorn diventa sempre più aperta, e si rende conto di quanto sia importante il suo legame con Grim. Impara poco a poco ad accettare il suo passato, e a smettere di sentirsi responsabile per quello che è successo. Ma la crescita più grande in questo libro l’ha sicuramente Grim. In questo libro si ritrova ad affrontare i suoi demoni, a rivivere il suo passato. E fa tanto male. Quello che ho adorato della sua crescita, in particolare, è che è molto graduale, e che, nonostante abbia l’appoggio di Blackthorn sempre e comunque, questa è una difficoltà che deve affrontare da solo. Quando stiamo male le persone che ci circondano possono fare molto, ma alla fine il vero cambiamento deve venire da noi. Ed è questo realismo che ho adorato: anche se siamo in un mondo da fiaba, con fate, maledizioni, vero amore, alla fine Grim deve trovare la forza dentro di se per affrontare i suoi demoni. Bello bello bello.
Non parliamo del loro rapporto, poi. Ne ho già parlato tanto nella recensione del primo libro, e non ho molto da aggiungere. Il loro rapporto si fa sempre più profondo e bello, è costruito in modo graduale, è bellissimo. Don’t even know what to say. Sono così simili ma così diversi, si completano, si aiutano ahhshshahajajaakkak vado in tilt
Se siete arrivati fin qui, eroi. Ora andate a leggere questa trilogia.
June 27, 2016
Well, that does it. Grim really is just the best. He's loyal, steadfast, and just so pure in his feelings and actions. There's no ulterior motives there. There's no deceit. He is just a quiet, thoughtful, observant man who is dogged in his determination to see Blackthorn safe and happy. I love him so much. He deserves to be part of an amazing story.
And as for Blackthorn...let's just say that she needs to experience some major growth in the next book. Her character just felt off. She was not cunning or sly or clever, just slow-witted and bitter and quick to lash out. She's become tiresome to read with her angsty inner monolgue and obsession with Mathuin and her revenge.
The writing is lovely, of course, and I really like the atmosphere that's created in each of these tales. But somehow it still felt lacking and a little clumsy. Everything was too straightforward. The bad guy was, of course, the bad guy. The story Geileis told throughout was at first intriguing but then nothing unexpected really happened. And the curse. I hate curses because they never live up to my expectations. I wanted that last line to be astounding in its cleverness but instead it was lackluster and predictable.
Aside from Grim and his backstory, I wasn't moved the way I'd hoped to be. I just expected more. I wanted to be swept away by the beauty and tragedy that encompasses a fairytale but instead I ended up with my feet still firmly planted on the ground.
So excited to be starting this with my MacHalo lovelies. Bring on the Grim!
And as for Blackthorn...let's just say that she needs to experience some major growth in the next book. Her character just felt off. She was not cunning or sly or clever, just slow-witted and bitter and quick to lash out. She's become tiresome to read with her angsty inner monolgue and obsession with Mathuin and her revenge.
The writing is lovely, of course, and I really like the atmosphere that's created in each of these tales. But somehow it still felt lacking and a little clumsy. Everything was too straightforward. The bad guy was, of course, the bad guy. The story Geileis told throughout was at first intriguing but then nothing unexpected really happened. And the curse. I hate curses because they never live up to my expectations. I wanted that last line to be astounding in its cleverness but instead it was lackluster and predictable.
Aside from Grim and his backstory, I wasn't moved the way I'd hoped to be. I just expected more. I wanted to be swept away by the beauty and tragedy that encompasses a fairytale but instead I ended up with my feet still firmly planted on the ground.
So excited to be starting this with my MacHalo lovelies. Bring on the Grim!
August 1, 2016
3.5 stars. I didn't like Tower of Thorns as much as I liked The Dreamer's Pool. I think it suffered a little bit from middle book syndrome, but it was still good. Some of the disconnect I felt I think came from the fact that I was listening to the audio version of the book (we listened to it in the car on our road trip) and I had a hard time keeping my mind on it a few times. I thought the story dragged in the middle a little bit and I got tired of both Blackthorn and Grim lamenting the past so much.
Although she softened up eventually in the last book, Blackthorn is still very consumed with wanting revenge and what happened in the past that she can't see what's right in front of her; and Grim is still really into the self-loathing over something that wasn't within his control. We do get to find out what that something is and quite a bit more about Grim's past which made me very happy. I love these two characters and I want to see some real moving forward in the next book.
Overall the book was enjoyable if a bit predictable. I will be reading the next book, but I think I would rather actually read it instead of listening to the audio version.
Although she softened up eventually in the last book, Blackthorn is still very consumed with wanting revenge and what happened in the past that she can't see what's right in front of her; and Grim is still really into the self-loathing over something that wasn't within his control. We do get to find out what that something is and quite a bit more about Grim's past which made me very happy. I love these two characters and I want to see some real moving forward in the next book.
Overall the book was enjoyable if a bit predictable. I will be reading the next book, but I think I would rather actually read it instead of listening to the audio version.
November 12, 2015
The second book in the Blackthorn and Grim series (see the first review here), and I am falling even more in love with these two. Before I go on, two things: One – this fantasy series must be read in order for it to make sense. And two, at this point, this is not a fantasy romance, just a fantasy. There are some romantic elements in side characters in this story, but it’s not a sex-it-up in fantasyland type of book. However! Blackthorn and Grim have their own special bond which makes me smile hard and there is a twist on love which will warm your heart.
Because there is a lot going on in this series, I’m going to insert the back cover blurb to give an overview of the book:
Disillusioned healer Blackthorn and her companion, Grim, have settled in Dalriada to wait out the seven years of Blackthorn’s bond to her fey mentor, hoping to avoid any dire challenges. But trouble has a way of seeking out Blackthorn and Grim.
Lady Geiléis, a noblewoman from the northern border, has asked for the prince of Dalriada’s help in expelling a howling creature from an old tower on her land—one surrounded by an impenetrable hedge of thorns. Casting a blight over the entire district, and impossible to drive out by ordinary means, it threatens both the safety and the sanity of all who live nearby. With no ready solutions to offer, the prince consults Blackthorn and Grim.
As Blackthorn and Grim begin to put the pieces of this puzzle together, it’s apparent that a powerful adversary is working behind the scenes. Their quest is about to become a life and death struggle—a conflict in which even the closest of friends can find themselves on opposite sides.
Blackthorn is becoming a favorite heroine of mine. She has overcome devastation as she had to watch her family burn. The only thing in life she wants is revenge on the man who did it. But now she must heal people for the next seven years until her contact with the fae runs out. This makes her so darn mad, but she knows if she goes against the fae, she won’t win. Blackthorn is so smart, so stubborn, and so courageous. She has dark demons and battles them quietly in her head, and has the support of Grim – who has become her best friend.
Grim’s loyalty to Blackthorn knows no bounds. A big man who many glance at and immediately think he must be dumb, he is anything but. He might not be able to read and write, but he can work with his hands. He listens and remembers things and is always on alert. He loves Blackthorn in his own way and it’s lovely. One big thing in this book is that Blackthorn may have a chance to out-wit the fae and exact revenge on her nemesis before her seven years are up, but this would mean she would have to trick Grim and leave him – and this causes her great angst. It caused me great angst as well.
We also have an evil monster trapped in a tower and a shady lady who needs Blackthorn’s help to remove it. It’s a little creepy and scary and I enjoyed it quite a bit. The author gives us Lady Geileis’s point of view – a woman who has been battling a curse for ages and a town who must suffer through agonizing noises. The author very slowly reveals the true story behind this curse and it’s very intriguing. I thought the end was going to be a little more dramatic – it seems to wrap up rather quick but otherwise it’s fun.
This series is an adventure. Each book has a new puzzle for Blackthorn and Grim to solve, all the while their overall arc of getting revenge on the man who killed Blackthorn’s family continues. It’s easy to read and the two of them make me smile. I really enjoy these books
Grade: B
Because there is a lot going on in this series, I’m going to insert the back cover blurb to give an overview of the book:
Disillusioned healer Blackthorn and her companion, Grim, have settled in Dalriada to wait out the seven years of Blackthorn’s bond to her fey mentor, hoping to avoid any dire challenges. But trouble has a way of seeking out Blackthorn and Grim.
Lady Geiléis, a noblewoman from the northern border, has asked for the prince of Dalriada’s help in expelling a howling creature from an old tower on her land—one surrounded by an impenetrable hedge of thorns. Casting a blight over the entire district, and impossible to drive out by ordinary means, it threatens both the safety and the sanity of all who live nearby. With no ready solutions to offer, the prince consults Blackthorn and Grim.
As Blackthorn and Grim begin to put the pieces of this puzzle together, it’s apparent that a powerful adversary is working behind the scenes. Their quest is about to become a life and death struggle—a conflict in which even the closest of friends can find themselves on opposite sides.
Blackthorn is becoming a favorite heroine of mine. She has overcome devastation as she had to watch her family burn. The only thing in life she wants is revenge on the man who did it. But now she must heal people for the next seven years until her contact with the fae runs out. This makes her so darn mad, but she knows if she goes against the fae, she won’t win. Blackthorn is so smart, so stubborn, and so courageous. She has dark demons and battles them quietly in her head, and has the support of Grim – who has become her best friend.
Grim’s loyalty to Blackthorn knows no bounds. A big man who many glance at and immediately think he must be dumb, he is anything but. He might not be able to read and write, but he can work with his hands. He listens and remembers things and is always on alert. He loves Blackthorn in his own way and it’s lovely. One big thing in this book is that Blackthorn may have a chance to out-wit the fae and exact revenge on her nemesis before her seven years are up, but this would mean she would have to trick Grim and leave him – and this causes her great angst. It caused me great angst as well.
We also have an evil monster trapped in a tower and a shady lady who needs Blackthorn’s help to remove it. It’s a little creepy and scary and I enjoyed it quite a bit. The author gives us Lady Geileis’s point of view – a woman who has been battling a curse for ages and a town who must suffer through agonizing noises. The author very slowly reveals the true story behind this curse and it’s very intriguing. I thought the end was going to be a little more dramatic – it seems to wrap up rather quick but otherwise it’s fun.
This series is an adventure. Each book has a new puzzle for Blackthorn and Grim to solve, all the while their overall arc of getting revenge on the man who killed Blackthorn’s family continues. It’s easy to read and the two of them make me smile. I really enjoy these books
Grade: B
July 11, 2016
Juliet Marillier é A melhor autora em fantasia.
Ela transporta-me para a história, e há poucos autores que o conseguem.
Adorei esta segunda parte, tanto quanto o anterior. O entusiasmo com que os li, faz-me reviver o que senti a ler a trilogia de sevenwaters (a minha preferida de todas e a primeira que li).
Ansiosa por mais aventuras. :)
Aconselho sem reservas.
Ela transporta-me para a história, e há poucos autores que o conseguem.
Adorei esta segunda parte, tanto quanto o anterior. O entusiasmo com que os li, faz-me reviver o que senti a ler a trilogia de sevenwaters (a minha preferida de todas e a primeira que li).
Ansiosa por mais aventuras. :)
Aconselho sem reservas.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 983 reviews